Date Archives: October 2017

A Chance for Sarasota Families to Gather  

Held every week, the Sarasota Farmers Market takes place right in the heart of Downtown year-round. Read on to find out more, and feel free to get in touch with our REALTORS® to learn more about life in Sarasota, FL.

A Long-Running Sarasota Tradition  

The Sarasota Farmers Market was established in 1979, offering a selection of local plants, produce, prepared foods and crafts that caught on quickly with the local community. It has only grown in the years since, quickly becoming a beloved mainstay of the Downtown Sarasota area. Today, the market spans more than 5,000 square feet and offers a space for more than 70 vendors to sell their locally grown and crafted goods.

Weekly Family Fun in Sarasota, FL

Operated by the nonprofit SFMV, Inc. (Sarasota Farmers Market Vendors), this weekly market promises a colorful variety of locally grown produce. Availability changes with the seasons, so be sure to return again to see what's new! Of course, there's a lot more to the Sarasota Farmers Market than fresh veggies. For example: 

• Arts and Crafts: Handmade soaps, jewelry, baskets, clothing, candles, pottery and paintings are just a few of the things you can find at the market.
   
• Flowers and Plants: An ever-changing selection of plants are available from local nurseries and florists, from orchids and floral arrangements to vegetables and herbs that you can plant in your own garden. 
   
• Food and Beverages: Food trucks and tents provide all kinds of refreshments, from a hot cup of Joe at JavaDawg Coffee to a hearty meal courtesy of Alpine Steakhouse. :
   
• Local Produce: As with any good market, farmers are at the heart of the Sarasota Farmers Market. Local and organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, eggs and honey are always on the table. 

Visiting the Sarasota Farmers Market also provides an opportunity to check out some of the local businesses in Saratota's vibrant Downtown district. Grab lunch at Boca Kitchen Bar and Market, find the latest catch at Duval's Fresh Local Seafood, or stop for coffee and fresh baked goods at Coffee Carousel. 

Plan Your Trip to the Farmers Market

The Sarasota Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm. Unlike many farmers markets that close up shop in winter, the Sarasota Farmers Market continues every week throughout the entire year, offering a selection of goods that changes with the seasons. You'll find it on Lemon Avenue, near its intersection with Main Street. Parking is available on the streets and in public lots nearby. 

Contact Wagner Realty today to learn more about all the latest happenings in the Sarasota area. Our team is standing by to help you find the best Sarasota homes for sale.

Open houses are packed to the rafters, "for sale" signs are few and far between, and the appealing properties that do make it to the market are selling before you even get a chance to pull out your checkbook...What do you do when you're working to buy a home, and see the signs of seller's market all around you?

Buying a house in a seller's market is never going to be easy, but it's absolutely possible if you're willing to make some extra effort. Our REALTORS® know what it takes to navigate a seller's market, and we've put together five must-know tips to help you do the same.

5 Tips for Buying a House in a Seller's Market

1. Find the Right Real Estate Agent
   Purchasing a house is a complex process even in a buyer's market, so when you're trying to navigate a seller's market it really helps to have the right real estate agent. Your real estate agent should have a deep understanding of the local real estate market, good relationships with listing agents, and experience helping buyers land homes in competitive markets. But finding the right agent is only the first step. Once you do, you'll want to stay in contact, ask questions, and work with your agent to quickly identify homes that match your needs.
   
   
2. Get to Know the Listing Agent
   In order to make a competitive bid right away, it's important to understand exactly what the seller is looking for in an offer. So once you find the right real estate agent and line up some homes that fit your needs, asking your agent to contact the listing agent is a great way to find out what it will take to make a winning offer. Remember that a phone call to the listing agent will typically yield much more valuable information than an email or text.
   
   
3. Prioritize Wants vs. Needs
   Being prepared to pounce when you find the right home is essential in a seller's market, and it's a good idea to understand exactly what you're looking for in a home. So if you're searching for homes for sale in Bradenton, for example, consider what you want, what you need, and what you can live without. Knowing what you want ahead of time helps give you the confidence to make a competitive bid when you identify the right home.
   
   
4. Be Ready to Bid Competitively
   In a buyer's market, you may have the luxury of starting out with a lower offer and negotiating from a more favorable position. Time is such a huge factor in a seller's market that starting out with a low-ball offer will often mean losing the opportunity to buy. Be prepared to make a very strong offer right away, and let the seller know that you mean business.
   
   
5. Write a Letter
   Let's say you're looking for Sarasota homes, you find the absolute perfect match, and you know there will be a lot of competition for the home. Your offer is already strong, but what can you do to help make that final push? Try writing an honest, heart-felt letter to the homeowner, to let them know exactly why you're so excited about the property. It won't win you the deal on its own, but a letter can really help sway the seller to your side.

Are you searching for the right real estate team to help you land your first-choice home in a competitive market? Contact Wagner Realty for all of your real estate needs in the Sarasota and Bradenton, Floridareal estate areas.

Finding the right home may be your top priority as a shopper, but identifying the right neighborhood is just as important for landing a home you'll love long-term. Our REALTORS® know what it takes to become a neighborhood expert, and we've compiled the top 10 traits of a great neighborhood.

How to Find a Neighborhood You'll Truly Love

1. Easy Access to Key Services
   Whether you need to shop for groceries, go to the gym, stop at the post office, or simply run your daily errands, having the services you need close to home makes it much easier to get things done. So if you're shopping Sarasota homes for sale, keep an eye out for neighborhoods that allow you to take care of business.
   
   
2. Fun and Entertainment Close to Home
   Every neighborhood offers something to do, but the right neighborhood for you will have entertainment options that match your taste. If you like the idea of a master-planned community with nearby entertainment options, check out Lakewood Ranch homes.
   
   
3. Local Businesses
   Small businesses are the lifeblood of so many neighborhoods because they provide necessary services, unique products, and fun activities close to home. An active, growing small business community is a sign of a great neighborhood, so be sure to sample the local business scene.
   
   
4. Great Food
   We all have our own neighborhood preferences, but most would agree that great food close to home is a major plus. Look for a neighborhood that offers all of your favorite dining options, along with new things to try. Becoming a neighborhood expert has never tasted so good.
   
   
5. Safe Streets
   Whether you're shopping for a family home or flying solo, finding a neighborhood with low crime rates is certainly an important priority. Try visiting neighborhoods both during the day and at night to get an idea of security in the area.
   
   
6. Strong Schools
   Perhaps you're shopping with your family in mind, or you simply want to leave the option open in the future. Either way, finding a neighborhood with a strong school system will serve you well.
   
   
7. Spectacular Scenery
   It's so nice to be able to sit on your patio or peer out the window and enjoy spectacular scenery close to home. Shopping for a home near the water is a great idea if you're looking for lovely views, and Longboat Key homes are a perfect example.
   
   
8. Walkability and Public Transportation
   Do you enjoy being able to walk to nearby amenities, or hopping on public transportation rather than driving to work? Finding a neighborhood with transportation options that fit your lifestyle will make life much easier.
   
   
9. Outdoor Fun
   You won't have any trouble finding outdoor fun in Florida neighborhoods, but it's still a good idea to make sure that a neighborhood offers your favorite outdoor activities. Homes for sale in Bradenton make it easy to enjoy all of the outdoor entertainment our corner of Florida has to offer.
   
   
10. The Right Fit for You
    We have covered many of the topics that shoppers find most important in neighborhoods, but ultimately this process is all about finding the right fit for you. Try creating a list of your own ideal neighborhood features, and rank them in order of priority.

Whether you're still searching for the perfect neighborhood or you already have an ideal match in mind, our local real estate team is here to help you cross the finish line. Contact Wagner Realty to buy and sell homes in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

Throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, and other Florida cities, smart homes are becoming some of the most desirable around. A smart home is equipped with powerful automation features that you control using a mobile device. 

The integrated technology of a smart home may make you feel like you are living in the future. 

A smart home is an especially cool idea for people in the Sunshine State. This is because many smart homes have features that will help you beat the heat during the hot summer months. Your smart home can also help you save on cooling costs.

Smart Home Features that Florida Residents Love

Some of the most popular smart technology features in Florida homes.

• Access Your Home Remotely
  With a smart home, you can access your home and even its appliances remotely. You can monitor security footage, adjust lighting or temperature, lock and unlock the doors--just to name a few. You never have to feel cut off from your home even if you are on a long trip. You can get instant alerts to your phone if a door opens or other trigger event takes place.
  
  
• Wake Up Bright and Early with Smart Shading
  Sunshine is one of the best parts of living in Florida, but not when you're trying to sleep. Smart shading helps wake you on time by gradually letting in more sunlight as your accustomed wake-up time draws near.
  
  
• Protect Your Home with Smoke, Fire, Gas, and Flood Warnings
  While on vacation, you want to secure your home while you are away. With smart home technology, your home practically takes care of itself. If a fire breaks out, you'll know within minutes. Specialized CO2 detectors for common and deadly gas can also be tied into your system.
  
  
• Keep Cool Without Constantly Adjusting Your Thermostat
  If you polled Floridians about their most important home feature, air conditioning would be near the top of the list. A smart home can monitor temperature patterns and make sure that your whole home remains at the optimal comfort level throughout the day. It can even adjust the temperature and lighting based on which rooms you are using.
  
  
• Save Money with More Precise and Granular Controls
  Smart homes can even tap into sophisticated systems such as solar panels and solar appliances. Because devices on the "smart grid" can be adjusted minutely based on changing conditions, they generally save money and spend less time running. You could save on cooling, hot water, your refrigerator, and much more besides.

Contact Wagner Realty to learn more about homes in Sarasota and Bradenton you are sure to love. Our REALTORS® will be glad to help in your home search every step of the way.